New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Free Agency Options to Scout at NBA Disney

New Orleans Pelicans Free Agent Options: Jae Crowder

Jae Crowder: Forward, Miami Heat

Jae Crowder is exactly the kind of tough, 3-and-D wing the New Orleans Pelicans lack. They will have only Brandon Ingram signed for next season and would ideally like to find another wing who can defend and stretch the floor.

Crowder averages 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds, but more importantly, hits 39.3 percent of his long-range shots on 6.8 attempts per game.

Crowder also plays tough defense and can guard multiple positions, which is something the Pelicans lack.

With Kenrich Williams and Darius Miller hurt or ineffective for most of the season, the Pelicans have desperately needed a bigger wing who can put a body on guys like LeBron James, who torched the Pelicans all season.

Crowder is a team player, a guy who will do the dirty work and has the size to at least slow down some of the Western Conference’s elite wings.

Crowder is 30-years-old, but will still likely get a raise from his last contract, which was 5yrs./$35 million. Given his age, Crowder may be looking more for security and winning environment than the most dollars per year, which might give the Pelicans a chance.

The Pelicans big selling points are their youth, talent and location in one of America’s greatest cities, but will that be enough to nab a coveted free agent?

Will the lure of playing with Zion, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Jrue Holiday and the prospect of 30 nationally televised games be enough to get a discount?

There are few teams with cap space this summer and most of them are not good, so if the Pelicans can sell their culture and talent, they might have a chance to get one of these three.

Either way, they’ll be worth watching in Orlando, where scouts will have one eye on the Pels and one on potential free agents.